Latest California Healthline Stories
LAO Questions Revenue Goals in Governor’s State Budget Proposal
The Legislative Analyst’s Office has issued an overview of Gov. Brown’s budget proposal, stating that the plan is mostly sound but that uncertainty surrounds revenue projections included as part of the governor’s tax plan. AP/CBS News et al.
San Bernardino Supervisors Vote To Trim Own Benefits
On Tuesday, the San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors voted unanimously to move forward with a plan that would cut supervisors’ benefits by about 40%. The ordinance must be ratified through another vote, and it is projected to save more than $240,000 annually. Under the ordinance, the county would continue to provide medical trust funds and long-term disability benefits but would stop making contributions to supervisors’ retirement funds and would eliminate their medical expense reimbursements. Supervisor Neil Derry said he would work to extend the ordinance to the four other countywide elected officials. San Bernardino Sun, Riverside Press-Enterprise.
First Lady’s Initiative Aims To Boost Research on PTSD, TBI
On Wednesday, first lady Michelle Obama announced a new initiative, as part of her “Joining Forces” campaign, in which more than 100 medical schools will commit to increasing research and training on treating veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder and traumatic brain injury. The initiative is intended to provide military-focused training to physicians beyond those who work at military medical centers or military bases. The initiative will not provide funding to the participating schools, but schools will be able to make individual decisions on how to integrate the additional training and research into their curriculum. AP/Washington Post, MedPage Today.
Health Reform Will Change Hospitals’ Labor Demands, Report Says
A survey by Towers Watson finds that the federal health reform law will significantly change labor demands for hospitals in California and nationwide. Hospitals that are not preparing for the changes could be negatively affected, according to the firm. Payers & Providers.
UCSF, Drug Company Sanofi Launch Diabetes Drug Project
On Tuesday, French pharmaceutical company Sanofi and UC-San Francisco announced details of a $3.1 million pilot project designed to identify drug targets that might lead to new treatments for Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes. The initiative is part of a broader partnership between UCSF and the drugmaker that was launched in January 2011. Under the latest project, laboratories led by three UCSF scientists will study insulin-producing cells, known as beta cells, which are destroyed in Type 1 diabetes and often fail to produce enough insulin in Type 2 diabetes. San Francisco Business Times‘ “Biotech SF,” Fierce Biotech.
Panel OKs Dissolution of Mt. Diablo Health Care District
On Wednesday, the Contra Costa Local Agency Formation Commission voted unanimously to dissolve the Mt. Diablo Health Care District in an effort to generate tens of thousands of dollars in cost savings to spend on community health care needs. Although the district relinquished control of the Mt. Diablo Medical Center to the John Muir Health system 16 years ago, it continued to receive about $240,000 annually in property tax revenue, much of which has been spent on other expenses. City officials are expected to petition the commission to establish a smaller subsidiary health care district. Contra Costa Times.
State Lawmakers To File Brief to Supreme Court Defending Reform Law
Today, more than 480 state lawmakers are expected to file a brief urging the Supreme Court to uphold the individual mandate in a lawsuit challenging the federal health reform law. The group includes at least one lawmaker from every state. The Hill‘s “Healthwatch,” CQ HealthBeat.
1% of U.S. Residents Accounting for 20% of Total Health Spending
A report by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality finds that 1% of U.S. residents accounted for more than 20% of total U.S. health care spending in 2009. For the top 1% of spenders, average annual health care spending was about $90,061. HealthLeaders Media et al.
Catholic Healthcare West Gives Out $647K in Grants
Catholic Healthcare West has awarded $647,000 in funding to 21 not-for-profit organizations in El Dorado, Placer, Sacramento and Yolo counties. The grants range from $5,000 to $50,000 and will go organizations that provide primary care, mental health care and housing services. CHW Senior Vice President of Operations Michael Taylor said the grants are intended to “help fill the gaps that exist in our region’s safety net as a result of the current economy and lack of public funding.” Sacramento Bee.
L.A. County Jailers Use Force More Frequently on Mentally Ill Inmates
A Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department report finds that jailers are more likely to use force on inmates with mental health conditions than other prisoners. Sheriff Lee Baca has responded by adding more deputies trained in using non-violent methods. Los Angeles Times.